Improvement in metallic cans



G. H. PERKINS & e. BROWN. Metallic Cans.

No. 211,042. Patented Dec. 17 1878.

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eovqe, g ow/7U WWE Q N. PETERS. PI-IUTOMHOGRKFNER, WASHINGTON, D. C.

"UNITED PATENT GEORGE H. PERKINS AND GEORGE BROWN, or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYL- VANIA, ASSIGNORS TO THE HANNIBAL MEAT 00., (LIMITED,) OF SAME PLACE, AND OF HANNIBAL, MISSOURI.

IMPROVEMENT IN METALLIC CANS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 2 [1,042, dated December 17, 1878 application filed cated. pyramidal can embodying our improvement in its simplest form, the side body of the can not" being soldered up, but being spread for clearer illustration of the structure of the seam; Fig. 2, a transverse section of a sealed can similar to that of Fig. 1, the cutting being through one ofthe soldered-up indentations, so as to illustrate the strengtheningarch formed; Fig. 3, a magnified sectional detail transversely through the seam and through two opposing indentations respectivelyformed in the underlap and the overlap, the parts being filled with solder; and Fig. 4, a similar.

enlarged sectional detail of a seam with an indentation in the uuderlap alone.

Similar letters of reference indicate corre sponding parts.

Our invention relates in generalto that class of metallic cans which are used to contain fruits, preserves, paints, and other hermeti cally-sealed contents; and relates more specifically to the construction of the side seam of the body, but is by adaptation applicable to other scams.

It consists, substantially, in a seam for metallic cans formed bythe flat overlap of two portions of metal, one or both of the lapping portions of which is or are providedwith a series of indentations, grooves, channels, or the like, struck or formed therein, but not perforating the metal, and approximately transverse to the longitudinal line of the seam, and partly beneath one or both of the lapping portions, so asto'form stiffening-ribs across the seam, and adapted to efiectuate a tight joint by insuring the soaking in of the solder into the channels and beneath the'laps, so as to secure the portions together.

July 10, 1878.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the body of a truncated pyramidal can B, the

overlap of the seam; U, the underlap, and D the channels in the same.

It is preferred that the overlap shall not extend to the outer point of the depressions in the underlap, and that the channels shall be of almost the width of the lap it is desired to make, so that a portion of the channels shall be exposed. When, therefore, the solderingiron is applied to the seam, solder will not only flow along the edge of the lap, but will also flow down into the channels, thus effectuatinga well-soaked and united seam, not only tight but strong, for thesolder in the channels forms a re-enforcement, so to speak, of the seam, being in effect a series of solder-ribs across the seam.

E in Fig. 3 represents an indentation in the overlap similar to those represented in the underlap.

The indentations are formed, as stated, either in one lap or in both laps, and either so as to come in line one above the other, or so as to alternate or come irregularly. They may, however, be formed wholly in the overlap or wholly in the underlap. We consider it preferable to form them wholly in the underlap, as shown in Fig. 1.

We are aware that in the art of uniting metal plates and forming metal seams holes or perforations cut entirely through one of the portions 'to be united. are old as a means for securing the flow of solder from one portion to the other; and to a hole or perforation as a means of facilitating the soldering of metal we lay no claim.

The essence of our invention lies in providing one or both of the flat laps of metal,which are united by solder to form a seam, with a series of depressions or channels approximatel y transverseto thelongitudinal axis of the seam, which, by reason of their construction, when filled with solder, form a series of solid ribs or stilfening-arches across thesoldered seam, and by their form stiffen and strengthen said seam, enabling it to resist strains which otherwise it would be incapable of.

Having thus described our invention, we

claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent the United States 1; A seam for metallic cans, formed by the flat overlap of two portions of metal, one or both of the lapping portions of which is or are provided with a series of indentations struck -or formed therein, but not perforating the metal, andapproximatcly transverse to the longitudinal line of the seam, so as to form stiffening-ribs across the seam substantially as described.

2. A lap-seam for metallic cans, one or both of the overlapping portions of which are provided with indentations approximately transverse to theline of the scam, the edge of each I dentations in the soldering of the seam, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto signed our names this 24th day of June, A. D.

GEORGE H. PERKINS. GEORGE BROWN. In presence ofi.

W. O. STRAWBRIDGE, J. BONSALL TAYLOR. 

